Genesis 1:1. The heavens through which Christ `passed' and above which He ascended is called the `firmament' or

`expansion' in Genesis 1:6. This `heaven', spread out during the ages `as a curtain' and `as a tent to dwell in', is to

pass away. The Lord is far above this limited `heaven' and so is the sphere of blessing allotted to the church of this

dispensation. Here then are two unique features of this high calling of Ephesians.

It is not possible, nor even desirable, that we should take notice of every difference of opinion that is current, but

in the present instance silence could be misinterpreted and damage done to the cause of truth. An honoured teacher

who has stood for the great principle of right division for many years has published his findings in the matter of

`heavenly places' in a booklet that is headed:

`The Earth, not Heaven, is the

future home of God's redeemed'.

`This is what I believe. It is a belief that is not based upon tradition, upon emotion, or upon wishful thinking. It

is not a conclusion that I have arrived at hurriedly'.

This brother's contention is that the words translated in Ephesians 1:3 `in heavenly places' should be rendered

`among heavenly beings'.

In the first place if the addition of the word `beings' be permissible so also can the addition of the word `places'.

If Ephesians 1:3 was the only occurrence of the Greek phrase thus translated, we should have to admit that there was

just as much reason to accept one translation as the other. This however is not so. We turn to the second occurrence

of this phrase, namely in Ephesians 1:20.

There the reference is to the Ascension which, as Ephesians 4:10 shows, placed the Lord `"far above all heavens",

that He might fill all things', even as Ephesians 1:20-23 reveals that Christ our Head is seated at the right hand of

God `far above all principality and power'.

Christ is not represented here as being seated AMONG these heavenly beings but ABOVE them. The apostle even

goes so far as to include `every name that is named' either now or in the future and clinches his argument by the

quotation `and hath put all things under His feet'. Paul has not left us in doubt as to what this quotation implies.

`For in that He put all in subjection under Him, He left nothing that is not put under him' (Heb. 2:8).

`But when He saith, all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things

under Him' (1 Cor. 15:27).

With this as our guide, we must decline to accept any conclusion, however slowly arrived at, that would read

into this passage that the seated Christ is only conceived of as AMONG and not FAR ABOVE every heavenly or

spiritual being, `GOD' alone being the most glorious exception.

We are more sure than ever that we have been blessed with all spiritual blessings IN heavenly places, and while

thankful for the contrary opinion that has compelled us to `search and see', we cannot but be concerned about those

who may not be able to examine such suggestions for themselves.

Summarizing so far, the `grapes' of our `Eshcol' include:

(1) Every blessing that is spiritual, which will be enjoyed

(2) In heavenly places, where Christ sits at the right hand of God.